2006 BMW R1200 RT Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 15about this part
- Share
- 28%of 54 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 14,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 15 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2006 BMW R1200 RT, 28% of the 54 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 14,000 miles. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“After 3500 miles of normal use my 2006 Bmw r1200rt's rear wheel began to come off the rear drive assembly posing a safety threat to me. The mechanical link between the wheel and final drive apparently failed causing excess play in the rear wheel and resulting in abnormal tire wear, poor handling, and would have eventually failed catastrophically.”
NHTSA complaint #10168560, filed 2006-09, 3,500 miles“As I was traveling at 70 MPH on the highway I felt my motorcycle all of a sudden wobble and lost control. I struggle to regain control of the motorcycle and was able to bring the motorcycle to a stop by the shoulder of the road. It appeared my final drive (transmission ) had failed prematurely. There were oil from the final drive splattered all over my rear wheel. This was a freighting experience and could have resultant in serious injury to me because of a premature failure of the final drive.”
NHTSA complaint #10637145, filed 2014-09, 37,700 miles“In july 2007 I experienced significant play in the rear wheel of my 2006 Bmw r1200rt motorcycle. The rear wheel bolts to a flange which is pressed onto the axle tube of the final drive. This is a compression fit, together with a circlip. When I detected the problem, after removing the circlip, I could remove the rear wheel with no resistance whatsoever, I.e., there was no resistance as the splined surface of the flange, and the splined surface of the axle tube, had worn away to such an extent. …”
NHTSA complaint #10244210, filed 2008-10, 23,500 miles“I was not experiencing any problems. I took of the rear tire off to change the rear rotor. I noticed cracks on the flange. The flange holds on the rear tire. Wow im glad I saw the cracks. Two of the five bolts were very loose due to the cracks. This is a common problem with the Bmw r1200. And yet Bmw will not recognized it! There are photo on the internet were the bolt have come off and the flange fails. I am very luck I caught this. If the tire came of while I was moving I would have been hurt or kill !!!! The Bmw dealer acted as if it was nothing out of the ordinary. …”
NHTSA complaint #10381635, filed 2011-02, 13,000 miles“The motorcycle was in normal use. I was actually returning home from a 3300 mile trip when the failure occurred. At first I detected a rear wheel wobble which I attributed to a tire problem. After pulling off the road and inspecting the rear wheel I discovered that the tire was fine but the wheel itself was loose and could be moved nearly an inch side to side. This is the second failure of the rear wheel assembly on this bike. I reported the first occurrence in 2006 as well. At the shop the mechanics were able to remove the wheel by simply pulling on it. …”
NHTSA complaint #10244337, filed 2008-10, 14,000 milesRelated recalls
- 06V104000Apr 4, 2006On certain motorcycles, the clutch components could become loose while the motorcycle is being operated.Covers: BMW R1200 RT 2006, R1200 GS 2006, R1200 HP2 2006
Related service bulletins
- 10248094Dec 13, 2023Since October 2023, a new maintenance schedule is valid for all K5x models. For the first time, maintenance positions for the cardan shaft (Driveshaft) are included. NOTICE: 1…
- 10236237Apr 24, 2023Multiple factors may cause the driveshaft to become damaged; among them are corrosion in certain parts ofthe driveshaft, and wear and tear exacerbated by certain climatic…
- 10218351Jul 28, 2022Multiple factors may cause the driveshaft to become damaged; among them are corrosion in certain parts of the driveshaft, and wear and tear exacerbated by certain climatic…
- 10149276May 1, 2017During the course of the quality analysis carried out by BMW Motorrad, it has been determined that for the R 1200 models with the gearshift assistant (SA X222A) OE, a few faulty…
- 10149274May 1, 2017Customer complains about an operating failure on the left or right multifunction switch.
- 10151392Jun 1, 2016BMW Motorrad has determiend in th ecourse of quality observation that in a few cases clutch fluid may leak between the clutch slave cylinder and the braided stainless steel…
- 10151238Mar 1, 2016BMW Motorrad has determined in the course of quality observation that in a few cases clutch fluid may leak between the clutch slave cylinder and the braided stainless steel…
- 10151430Aug 1, 2015Shift assist does not function after performing SIB 23 001 15 (017) DME software upgrade. This is due to a progrm fault in ISTA/p version 3.56.0.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
Other parts of the 2006 BMW R1200 RT
30 complaintsBrakes
7 complaintsVehicle speed control
2 complaintsWheels
2 complaintsElectrical system
1 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
1 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2006 BMW R1200 RT
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology